Ski binding with device for threaded adjusting of the binding component



. 3,477,736 ING OF THE Nov. 11, 1969 P. UNGER SKI BINDING WITH DEVICEFOR THREADED ADJUST 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BINDING COMPONENT Filed Aug. 23,1967 In yen {0r P404 (/A/g/e Nov. 11, 1969 P. UNGER 3,477,736

SKI BINDING WITH DEVICE FOR THREADED ADJUSTING OF THE BINDING COMPONENTFiled Aug. 25, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l2 l6 I! I7 Fig. 5

6/ Fly. 6 w

In van for. P404 04 65? AMV United States Patent U.S. (:1. 280-4155 4Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Ski binding adjustment means for thethreaded adjusting of the position of a binding component relative to another, where a threaded spindle is journalled in one of the parts to bemutually adjusted in the longitudinal direction and where a nutthreadedly mounted on the spindle has a catch that projects from thispart and into a recess or opening of the counter part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to ski bindings. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an arrangement for ski bindingsfor threadedly adjusting the relative position of the binding componentto another component, such as the sole or base plate or the like.Bindings are known having a threaded spindle that is provided with aleft and a right hand thread and which with each of these threadsengages a corresponding threaded bore in the ski or binding parts thatare adjustable relative to one another. In addition an adjusting nut anda counter nut are provided. The manufacture of this type of adjustingdevice, including the left hand and right hand threads and the requiredthreaded bores in the parts to be adjusted, is relatively expensive.Moreover, such threaded bores can only be provided in correspondinglystrong and wear resistant parts. For example, it would not be possibleto use thin plastic walls or strips for this purpose because the threadportion would tear or split. Also the installation or assembly of suchan adjusting device is relatively complicated. In addition, there arethe shortcomings that the adjusting range cannot be greater than thelength of the threads and that the adjusting spindle projects rearwardlyfrom the base plate.

It is an object of the invention to provide a threaded adjusting meansthat is simple in construction and readily assembled while avoiding theaforementioned shortcomings, and where in addition it is also possiblewith simple means to considerably widen the adjusting range.

Accordingly, the invention resides primarily in that the threadedspindle is journalled in one of the parts to be adjusted relative to oneanother where it is secured against longitudinal displacement, and thata nut threaded upon the spindle has a catch that extends from this partand engages recesses or the like in this counter part. Severaladvantages are provided by this. The threaded spindle may in any desiredand simple manner he held on the associated component. For example, inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention it is possibleto place it or press it into the slotted or fork-shaped bearings of thispart. The necessary height of such a support or bearing is relativelysmall, so that the spindle can be readily placed in the lateral bordersor strips of a sole or base plate while the catch projects upwardly outof this plate. As a matter of course the spindle in accordance with theinvention may also be journalled in the particular component of thebinding which is to be adjusted (front jaws,

3,477,736 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 heel binding, and the like) and engagewith the catch a corresponding recess of the sole plate or the like.

The threaded spindle always maintains the same position relative to thatpart in which it is inserted. Suitably the arrangement may be such thatonly its screw head extends from this part while the threaded shaft isarranged within the part but is protected against ice accumulation anddamage. Besides that, the danger is thus avoided that the skier caninjure himself on the setting screw.

The spindle, the threaded nut and their catch are simple and can beproduced at very low cost on automatic lathes. The manufacture of thejournals also requires no considerable costs in the particularcomponent. It is of particular advantage that these hearings can beapplied or installed subsequently on existing base plates or bindingparts without it being necessary to correspondingly change existingtools.

It is furthermore made possible in accordance with the invention toconsiderably widen the adjusting range. For this purpose one or severalcut-outs or recesses are provided in the part at distances behind oneanother in the direction of adjustment while preferably one distance isequal to the adjusting range of the spindle. By introducing the catcherinto the particular recess a coarse adjustment can be had, and byturning the screw the corresponding fine adjustment is obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages and features of theinvention will become apparent from the following description withreference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in

Which FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a sole or base plate provided with thethreaded adjusting means in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a section taken along line Ill-11in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device in accordance with FIGS. 1and 2,

FIG. 4 illustrates parts of a further embodiment of the invention with adamping spring,

FIG. 5 is a side view of a further modification of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a sole plate which may be associated with the embodiment ofFIG. 5 and where several recesses are provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the embodiment in accordance with FIGS.1 to 3 the threaded spindle 1 is retained in a base or sole plate 2 orthe like, which could also be a heel mounting plate, while the catcher 3of the threaded nut 4 engages a recess 5 of the binding component 6which is to be adjusted. The binding part 6 may be a safety head, anautomatic heel binding or the like. Besides, the threaded nut may have ashoulder 4' on the side which carries the catch, upon which the counterpart 2 can rest with relative safety against tilting.

In accordance with a particularly simple and practical embodiment of theinvention the threaded spindle is laid into a slot or forked bearing ofthe particular part. This journal construction is provided here at 7 inthe border 2 of the plate 2 and is open at the bottom. An arrangement ofsuch type that the threaded spindle can be pressed into this bearingwith a snapping or clamping elfect and which is self-supporting isadvisable. For this purpose it is advantageous if the component providedwith this hearing or journal consists of a somewhat resilient plastic.The other end of the spindle 1 suitably is also journalled and held, forexample, in a forked portion 7' of the strip 2". The catch 3 and therecess 5 may be optionally formed. If desired the threaded spindle maybe covered by the plate 2 (see FIGS. 1-3) which has a slot 8 for passageof the catch 3 that extends over the range of adjustment.

As a safeguard against longitudinal displacement of the spindle one orseveral flanges or shoulders 9 may be provided. In the example of FIGS.1-3 thi arrangement is of a particularly simple type in that the collar9 is at a distance from the screw head 10 which corresponds to thethickness of the wall 2' or of the corresponding strip of the plate 2 inwhich the spindle is placed. The setting of the screw is effected byinserting a screwdriver or a coin into the slot of the screw head 10.Instead the setting could also be effected by means of a knurled knobthat can be manipulated by hand.

FIG. 4 indicates that the spindle 1 can be supported for longitudinaldisplacement over a limited path in the direction S against the effectof a spring 11. This spring, however, serves the purpose of compensatingfor the thrust that arises as the boot is inserted or pressed into thebinding. This is necessary particularly when the safety device, forexample a heel release, is adjusted too tightly and thereby too large aforce of compression arises between the shoe and the binding. Suitablythe spring 11 is provided between a collar 9' of the spring and acounter part of the particular component, for example a wall or a strip2" of the sole plate or the like. It is understood that the spring 11may also be in the form of a nest of spring washers or as a flat spring.

As already explained, the threaded spindle may also be on the part whichis to be adjusted (safety head, automatic heel binding), while thecounter part which has the recess is constituted by the base plate, soleplate, mounting plate, or the like. It is therefore within the scope ofthe invention that the means described in the embodiments in connectionwith one part may also be provided in the reverse arrangement in thecorresponding counter part. Thus FIG. 5 illustrates schematically theheel retaining binding 13 which holds the heel 12 of a ski boot and inwhich a threaded spindle 14 is located. This spindle supports a threadednut 15 having a catch 15' which engages a corresponding recess 16 of thebase or sole plate 17.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of several apertures 18 already mentioned,which are disposed at distances from one another in the direction of theadjustment, where a space a corresponds suitably to the adjustment rangeof the associated threaded spindle. As mentioned above, it would, ofcourse, also be possible in the embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 1-3and 4 to provide several apertures in the binding part 6 at suchdistances behind one another. Thus, if a range for fine adjustment is nolonger sufficient for obtaining the desired position, the

catch is simply removed from the aperture or recess and is placed intothe next recess. 1 i

Having now described my invention with reference to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, what I desire to protect by Letters Patentof the United States is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ski binding mechanism for the threaded adjustment of the position ofan automatic heel binding component relative to another component, forexample the base plate, comprising a threaded spindle journalled in oneof said components, holding means in said one component securing saidspindle against longitudinal displacement relative to said plate, and athreaded nut on said spindle having a catch projecting therefrom as aunitary member, the other said component having a recessed configurationfor interengagement with said catch, said catch extending into saidconfiguration, said holding means being defined by a forked bearing in aportion projecting from the surface of one said component adapted toreceive said spindle with a clamping effect in response to pressure anddefining a shoulder, and by a pair of configurations extending radiallyfrom said spindle on opposite sides of said shoulder.

2. Ski binding mechanism in accordance with claim 1, where oneconfiguration of said pair is in the form of a collar and the other is ascrew head.

3. Mechanism in accordance with claim 1, where said component on whichsaid spindle is journalled is provided with a cover plate, said platedefining a slot through which said catch projects, and said slot extendsover the adjustment range of said spindle.

4. Mechanism in accordance with claim 1, where said configurationsextending radially from said spindle are spaced at a predetermineddistance from one another and a biasing spring is disposed intermediateone said configuration and said shoulder.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,116,985 5/1938 Sprague.2,199,937 5/1940 Keller. 2,742,299 4/ 1956 Voster. 3,325,178 6/1967Reuge et al.

FOREIGN PATENTS 585,837 11/1958 Italy.

LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner MILTON L. SMITH, Assistant Examiner

